KitchenAid dishwasher dispenser door does not open

Model: KUDK03FTSSO / Ser: FU2103430
Sometimes the dispenser door will not open during a cycle. I have made sure nothing blockes the door. This problem seems to be happening more often. The dishwasher has been used for apout a year.

Same problem - approx 18months old dishwasher from Kitchenaid. This is the second issue - had a motor go at 14 months. Not very impressed with the qualitySame problem - approx 18months old dishwasher from Kitchenaid. This is the second issue - had a motor go at 14 months. Not very impressed with the quality

AnonymousMar 14, 2009

Same thing happened here-- we thought it might be the detergent we are using, but switching it hasn't fixed the problem.Same thing happened here-- we thought it might be the detergent we are using, but switching it hasn't fixed the problem.

6 Suggested Answers

Hi,
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THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION: TAKE SOME WARM TO HOT WATER AND POUR IT DOWN AND AROUD THE DISPENSER.
SOAP CAN "CAKE-UP" AND MAKE THE THE DISPENSER STICK. IN THE MEAN TIME YOU CAN PUT YOUR DETERGANT IN A COFFECUP ON THE LOWER RACK AND ACHIEVE THE SAME RESULTS. ALWAYS USE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SOAP POSSIBLE.

I had the same problem with my GE Adora. The dishes were getting cloudy and the soap dispenser would not open. Turns out the hard water deposits were causing the soap dispenser to stick shut. I purchased and used Dishwasher Magic which is a dishwasher cleaner designed to remove limescale, rust and buildup. I used as directed and now my dishes are sparkling and the soap dispenser pops right open.

I took the door apart and found the degertent door solinoid looking like it over heated and melted to the cover flap and the insulation. See picture. I can't post pic as the max is 150kb.
I applied power and it only got hot and wouldn't operate.
Next I go to Kitchenaid for a replacement - FREE it should be.

Does the washer heat the water during the hot cycle. If it does, your soap dispenser module in the door is faulty. To install, you need to pull power plug out first,then sit on a chair in front of the door and then open the door towards yourself. Once open unscrew those screws along the perimeter of the door to enable you to remove outer panel. Once off, you can view how to remove soap dispenser. If water does not get hot, check the heater element and/or the reset (over temperature switch). Note, top rotator must move freely as well to allow hot water dispersion which on some occasions activates the soap dish. On other occasions it uses a solenoid switch.

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There is a plastic, mechanical assembly inside the front door of the dishwasher you will have to get to. Sometimes, a lever or other piece has slipped out of position. It will either have to be serviced, or you will have to try to fix it by taking the door apart. Not a hard job, but tricky without a service manual. Good luck.

The most common problem with the detergent doors on KitchenAid
dishwashers is that they either don't open during the cycle or open
only halfway. Before looking into more complicated repairs, make sure
that the door is able to open. Check the seal around the door and the
door latch for soap- and food-related gunk, and scrub it off if
present. Sometimes this can keep the detergent door from operating
properly. Consider switching detergents, as some liquids and
pouch-style dish detergents can gum up the detergent dispensers. Also,
make sure that there is nothing blocking the detergent door when the dishwasher
is loaded. Because of the location of the detergent door, a large item
such as a cookie sheet or a pan can prevent the door from opening. Run
the dishwasher through a cycle without anything placed in front of the
detergent dispenser and see if that solves the problem.

Broken Timer

KitchenAid dishwashers
rely on an internal timer to complete the wash cycle properly. When
this timer malfunctions, certain steps in the wash process (such as the
release of soap from the detergent dispenser) can be interrupted. If
the dishwasher detergent door is either not opening or appears to be
opening late in the cycle, this is likely the mechanical culprit. A
broken timer isn't something that's simple to replace without knowledge
of dishwasher repair, so it's best to consult a professional if you
suspect that this is the problem.

Malfunctioning Door Components

For the detergent door to function properly, all of its mechanical
components must be in working order. Older dishwashers' detergent doors
rely on a spring-loaded hinge to pop all the way open when the timer
gives the signal. If the door doesn't swing all the way open instantly
when it's manually released, the spring may need to be replaced for the
dispenser to operate properly. If the particular model is newer and
does not rely on a spring to open the door, chances are it either uses
a wax motor or a bi-metal switch to release the detergent door at the
appropriate time. If either of these components is dying, that can mean
that the detergent dispenser will not operate properly.

Kitchenaid lists 130 dishwashers with this model. Need the rest of the number KUDSO1DLxxxxBack in the day, when I worked on K Dishwashers, the drain valve was the problem typically.It would get a piece of glass, from broken glass or other item, or a toothpick, whatever stuck in the drain valve. It would not completely close. During the wash cycle, water would be trickling down the drain and by the time the soap dispenser opens, the water would be gone or nearly gone.Check this. When you hear the dispenser snap open, stop the dishwasher and open the door.If you have little or no water, you are losing the water during the wash cycle.

2 things will lead to soap not dissolving, first is cold water, so make sure you have hot enough water. second and more likely is the dispenser is not opening at the proper time , instead fully opens at end of cycle during the dry cycle never even getting wet, and washing dishes with no soap, id replace the dispenser or make sure your not stacking items in front of dispenser hindering the opening. also powder is best, tabs and gelpack put undo stress on the dispenser door not always allowing full operation...